To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer to PQ 146775, how many doctors other than those graduating from United Kingdom medical schools were taken on by the NHS in 2012; and how many doctors from abroad were allocated to foundation programmes commencing in August 2012.

An annual census of medical staff is undertaken which shows the current number of doctors employed in the national health service and where they qualified—whether within the United Kingdom/within the remainder of the European economic area (EEA), outside the EEA or in an unknown country of qualification. However, the census does not show when they joined the work force.

There were 7,089 Foundation Programme places for FP 2012. 222 graduates from non-UK medical schools were allocated a place. Of the 6,867 who graduated from UK medical schools a proportion will be students from overseas but the Department does not hold this figure. All UK medical graduates received a place on a Foundation Programme in 2012.